Haiti

Present in Haiti since 1989, Terre des hommes (Tdh) strengthens protective measures for children within their families, public institutions and communities, provides care to children suffering from malnutrition, improves access to water and sanitation and supplies emergency aid during disasters. In 2013, almost 10’457 people benefited from the activities of Tdh.

Since the 2010 earthquake, the number of people living in camps has dropped from 1.5 million to 350'000 by 2013. Half of the ten million cubic metres of debris have been cleared away. However, only a tiny percentage of the 100,000 seriously damaged homes have been rebuilt. There remains a great need regarding access to drinking water , sanitation and child protection mechanisms in particular. Now considered endemic, cholera will continue to claim victims in coming years. According to OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) in January 2013, 2.1 million people were still living in a state of chronic food insecurity.

Les Cayes

-72.77035518.429998

Grand Gôave

-72.3126518.53675

Port-au-Prince

Centered at
-72.28521518.9711877

The situation of the children

• Mortality rate of children under 5: 87 per 1000 births 25% of all babies are born underweight (less than 2.5 kg)
• 21% of children between ages 5 and 14 work
• Between 150,000 and 500,000 children are employed as domestic workers (restaveks)

Our intervention

Water, hygiene, sanitation – In cooperation with DINEPA (National Directorate for Water Supply and Sanitation), Tdh is providing access to water, sanitation and hygiene to communities in remote regions. Latrines, wells and systems of rainwater collection are built with the assistance and involvement of the community. Inhabitants are educated about hygiene and “water committees” are responsible for properly managing this essential resource.

Child protection – Tdh works with IBESR (Institute of Social Well-Being and Research) to improve living conditions for children who are separated, mistreated, victims of neglect or physical, moral or sexual abuse, or who are forced to work. Tdh supports their return to their family and strengthens the families' ability to protect them.Tdh also works to strengthen community links and competencies by cooperating with local associations to implement activities for children and adults.

2013 Results

• 1'619 parents were made aware of the importance of educating their children.
• 53% exploited/abused children identified by the communities and authorities.
• 11'944 community members, targeted by the project, were educated on child protection.

What Tdh can do with:

CHF 100.–
Provide one day of training in parental responsibility to ten adolescent mothers.

CHF 300.–
Relaunch of an income-generating activity for an at-risk family with four children.

Testimonial

Following the earthquake, Jeanna and her husband could no longer provide for the needs of their family. They therefore decided to place their three young daughters aged eight to 13 in a residential centre in Grand Goâve.